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Protect Beaver Run Reservoir! Well Pads like the Dearmitt pad are often less than 1,000 feet from the waters edge. Other infastructure remais dangerously close to the water as well. Learn if your public water comes from Beaver Run and read about the progress we've made on protecting your water. Beaver Run Reservoir Where does your water come from? What can we do? Beaver Run Reservoir is a critical water supply for 150,000 people. Even still, MAWC has allowed fracking companies to withdraw water from Beaver run during drought, putting residents' water supply at risk. Do you receive your water from Beaver Run? Help Protect PT remind the Westmoreland Commissioners of their duty to Make Every Drop Count and restrict fracking withdrawals during drought! Sign our petition! Find out Sign ............................................................ Upcoming Actions Events ............................................................ Watch our Presentation Help support Protect PT's work around the Beaver Run Reservoir. With your support, we will be able to continue working to protect your right to clean air and water. Donate Here! Protecting Our Precious Resources: For over a decade, fracking has been active around the Beaver Run Reservoir by CNX. Fracking companies use an enormous amount of water to frack a single well and this water is so contaminated it can no longer be used for human consumption. Click here to get updates About Beaver Run Located in Westmoreland County, Beaver Run is a public water source for 150,000 people in the 39 surrounding townships. More than 50 wells are located near the reservoir. Many of the well pads are less than 1,000 feet from the water's edge, yet a large portion of the scientific community agrees that half-a-mile is the bare minimum when working near drinking supplies. In early 2019, drilling complications at one of CNX's deep gas wells resulted in pressure spiking at nearby shallow wells. Nine shallow wells were continuously flared for days to receive pressure. Authorities claimed there were no impacts on the environment or nearby community, but air monitoring showed elevated levels of Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Sulfur Dioxide. Infrastructure Near the Beaver Run Reservoir Water & Air Quality Our Technical Water Report Our Air Report More about water in Westmoreland Co. There are more than 50 wells near the reservoir with many less than 1,000 feet from the water's edge. Photo provided by Bob Donnan

The communities of the Turtle Creek watershed and airshed have come together to demand sustainable change to protect the interconnected water and airsheds that encompass these connected communities. There are over 30 municipalities that are touched by these networks of creeks, rivers, and traveling air pathways. Meetings began in December 2019 to explore options for sustainable community development actions based on what people of the community wanted to see done. ReImagine TCWAC What Is Reimagine TCWAC? The communities of the Turtle Creek watershed and airshed have come together to demand sustainable change to protect the interconnected water and airsheds that encompass these connected communities. There are over 30 municipalities that are touched by these networks of creeks, rivers, and traveling air pathways. Meetings began in December 2019 to explore options for sustainable community development actions based on what people of the community wanted to see done. Protect PT is a fiscal sponsor of Reimagine TCWAC. TCWAC Website Vision Re-Imagine Turtle Creek Watershed and Airshed Communities Plus (TCWAC+) is a community-led initiative to envision and implement sustainable community and economic development for the TCWAC and beyond. The counties of eastern Allegheny and western Westmoreland, in which the communities reside, are focusing on sustainability tactics for Human Health and Wellness, Land Management, Renewable Energy and Green Infrastructure, Urban Agriculture, and Single-Use Plastics Diversion. By looking within ourselves and working to improve our relationship with the earth, we will improve the greater Western PA Watershed and Airshed region. “Healing and coming back to the balance of the air and the people that live within it,” as Moni Wesner commented, is the future we see and are building ahead. Communities of the Turtle Creek Watershed Although TCWAC+'s scope reaches the majority of SWPA, the Turtle Creek Watershed is the heart of our sustainable development efforts. The watershed makes up the suburbs east of Pittsburgh in east Allegheny County and west Westmoreland county. It reaches 32 municipalities (listed below) and over 320,000 individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In creation of TCWAC+, we organized around the watershed and airshed in recognition of how our actions are interconnected by geological features, not political lines. How we treat the air and water affects everyone downwind and downstream. Adamsburg Borough Braddock Hills Borough Chalfant Borough Churchill Borough City of Greensburg City of Jeannette Delmont Borough East Pittsburgh Borough Export Borough Forest Hills Borough Hempfield Township Irwin Borough Manor Borough McKeesport Borough Municipality of Monroeville Municipality of Murrysville Municipality of Penn Hills North Braddock Borough North Huntingdon Borough North Irwin Borough North Versailles Borough Penn Township Pitcairn Borough Plum Borough Salem Township Trafford Borough Turtle Creek Borough Wall Borough Washington Township Wilkins Township Wilkinsburg Wilmerding Photo by Bob Donnan

Learn about the vast amount of waste the oil and gas industry produces. Why is Oil and Gas Waste a Big Issue? Unconventional oil and gas development (fracking) produces vast amounts of waste. This waste comes in the form of brine and drill cuttings, both brought up from deep shale layers that can contain high amounts of uranium. Despite the potential presence of radioactivity, this waste is classified as residual waste and permitted to be disposed of in landfills and injection wells. This waste is often transported by trucks or barged. Oil and gas waste creates serious health concerns for residents living near sites that accept this waste as well as potential contamination from spills and accidents during transportation. Oil and Gas Waste Disposal Methods Municipal Landfills - Leachate Injection Wells Road Spreading What is an Injection Well? Leachate is the result of rainwater and moisture seeping through waste at a landfill and leaching chemicals, organic matter, and other particles from the waste. When landfills accept oil and gas waste, radioactive constituents can contaminate the leachate. However, the leachate is classified as residual waste at the landfill and sewage treatment plants. It is not treated for potential radioactive materials, leaving concerns that discharged treated water could be polluting rivers and streams. Learn more about the hazards of leachate and how Protect PT is advocating for residents who have been impacted more than 10 years on our leachate page. Learn More About Leachate What is leachate? What is Leachate? Download the Poster Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill This landfill produces significant health and environmental impacts to nearby residents in Rostraver, Monessen, and Belle Vernon. Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill (WSL) has been the subject of three Consent Decrees with the DEP in the past three years. The latest decree dealt specifically with the leachate problem that exists at the landfill. Learn More about WSL Stop the Plum Injection Well What is an Injection Well? Injection wells are often the last stop for fracking waste. These are the most dangerous kind of well to live nearby, as they can result in contaminated well water, contaminated aquifers, and even seismic activity. The premise of injection wells that the fracking industry tries to sell the public on is that, once the wastewater is injected underground, it stays put - as if something swept under a rug will not have to be dealt with sooner or later. The issue is that underground systems are all hydrologically connected. Fluids migrate underground, and can make their way back to the surface. Furthermore, injection wells are often made from old conventional wells, which were not designed to handle the kind of pressure an injection well must endure. Casing failures are common, and result in disastrous consequences for anyone nearby who relies on well water. They can even contaminate nearby gas production wells . Protect PT's Work with Injection Wells Protect PT is fighting against the apparently-illegal expansion of the Sedat injection well site, and helped defeat the Higinbotham well in Fayette County in 2023. The Higinbotham well risked communicating with a network of abandoned gas wells and abandoned coal mines that ran under the course of the Monongahela River, upriver of the drinking water of 25 million people. Following this, Fayette County passed state-of-the-art regulations on injection wells that should prevent projects like this going forward in the future in such risky locations. Contact us if you want our help pushing for similar protections in your own community. Learn more about the Plum IW Contact Us Protect PT Members discussing our work around the Plum Injection Well. What is Road Spreading? Did you know that the gas industry spreads their radioactive waste on our roads? Protect PT's Environmental Policy Advocate Tom Pike Testifying before the PA State House Energy Committee regarding the practice of road spreading. Due to a creative interpretation of State regulations, the conventional gas industry exploits a loophole that allows them to sell their waste to municipalities for use as a de-icer and dust suppressant. Gas waste has been shown to be ineffective at both of these tasks, as compared to commercial products, but some rural municipalities buy it anyway because it is cheaper. They should consider why it is cheaper: it is someone else’s garbage. Road spreading is extraordinarily dangerous to human health. The process of gas drilling brings radioactive material from underground to the surface. These are known as TENORMs, or technologically-enhanced naturally-occurring radioactive materials. What are TENORMS? Radon , which decays much faster than some of the other TENORMs, but is still the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radium 226 , which has a half-life of 1600 years. To give you an idea of how long this will linger, if the Romans had disposed of gas industry waste on their roads, Italians would still be breathing in radium 226 today. Uranium 238 , which has a 4.5 billion year half life. To give you an idea of how long that lingers, 4.5 billion years ago, the earth was formed. Thorium 232 , with a half-life of 14 billion years. The universe is 13.7 billion years old. When the industry takes these chemicals out of the ground and puts them on roads, they’re going to stay with us for a very long time. It would be cheaper for anyone to dispose of their waste by dumping it in the roads, but when residents do that, they are fined. The same standards should apply to heavy industry. Protect PT and our allies, including Earthworks and Better Path Coalition, achieved major wins against road spreading in 2024. Gas industry brine was removed as a legitimate co-product category from the DEP’s waste reporting system. What that means is that it will become harder for the industry to get away with road spreading of waste. We also provided data and testimony to legislators which resulted in a bill that would ban the road spreading of waste definitively , and enforce violations with fines. Support Our Work

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Sustainability While Protect PT has primarily focused our efforts towards preventing unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, we also aim to facilitate and develop alternative sustainable energy solutions within our communities. This dual-sided approach is represented by Promote PT, signifying our wish to not just protect our communities but promote a better future for them. 01 Re-Imagine Turtle Creek Watershed and Airshed Communities (TCWAC) The communities of the Turtle Creek watershed and airshed have come together to demand sustainable change to protect the interconnected water and airsheds that encompass these connected communities. LEARN MORE 02 Promote PT While Protect PT has primarily focused our efforts towards preventing unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD), we also aim to facilitate and develop alternative sustainable energy solutions within our communities. This dual-sided approach is represented by Promote PT, signifying our wish to not just protect our communities but promote a better future for them. 03 Municipal Sustainability Project Small towns and rural communities throughout the United States are looking for ways to strengthen their economies, provide better quality of life, and build on local assets. LEARN MORE SUPPORT OUR WORK

Protect PT is conducting air monitoring for our Clean Air for All (CAFA) study, beginning in late 2024 through 2027. This project focuses on communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties that are likely impacted by air pollution emitted from three local facilities. Clean Air For All (CAFA) Air Monitoring Plan Protect PT is conducting air monitoring for our Clean Air for All (CAFA) study, beginning in late 2024 through 2027. This project focuses on communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties that are likely impacted by air pollution emitted from the following facilities: Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill Monessen Coke Works a.k.a. Cleveland Cliffs Plum Injection Well a.k.a. Sedat Injection Well a.k.a. Penneco Injection Well. Each monitoring site hosts a particulate matter (PM) air monitor, which will collect data for approximately 2 years to account for variables in weather patterns and industrial activity. In addition to the PM air monitors, the study is also utilizing one Summa canister and SPod deployment systems around each of the three facilities to collect information on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is so the best air samples can be captured. The Summa canister — a specialized metal canister that collects a single sample of air — will be triggered by the SPod during high pollution events. Our goal with the SUMMA canister is to determine what kind of VOCs are present at the time of a pollution event and determine how much of each pollutant is present. There are no commercially available VOC monitors on the market, which makes measuring them extremely difficult. And because some VOCs are naturally occurring while others are not and have serious health impacts, it's important to determine what specific pollutants are present in what quantity. Shown: 2 of 3 monitoring sites in Monessen and Belle Vernon Shown: Monitoring area in Plum Equipment We're Using Pictured: SPod Pictured: Particulate Matter Monitor (Purple Air) Pictured: Summa Cannister Community Engagement To keep the community informed on the progression of this study and its findings, Protect PT will hold an annual resident meeting to go over the data we've collected and break down the most important information. To see if we have an upcoming meeting, please go to our events page. To request past community reports, please complete the form linked below. Events Report Request Form Have any questions? Contact Us

We offer mentorship and guidance to individuals or groups that want to work toward social change in their community and fiscal scholarship to groups/individuals applying for grant funding. Communities United Mentorship Project Mentorship Pollution is a detriment to our quality of life as humans and knows no boundaries. We strive to help individuals and other communities who are facing similar issues by providing educational support, sharing of resources, and mentorship to ensure that others maintain or obtain clean and health communities. We strive to be of service t o other communities in the Southwestern Pennsylv ania region to help them better protect themselves from unconventional gas development and its associated infrastructure. In order to serve other communities, we are offering mentorship and guidance to individuals or groups that want to work toward social change in their community. We can discuss with other community members how to organize groups, participate in the local process and educate, engage, and empower their own communities for social change. We will also direct groups to other organizations in our network that can help them achieve their goals. Grantee Resources Reimbursement Form Groups Fiscally Sponsored: Some of the current and past groups participating in the mentorship program include Rostraver Residents, CROWD, Better Path Coalition & PA Climate Convergence, Freshwater Accountability Project, Ohio Valley Environmental Alliance, Mariner East Organizers, Cyclone Residents, and Friends of Murrysville Parks. Fiscal Sponsorship We offer fiscal sponsorship to groups or individuals that want to apply for grant funding for their organizing efforts but do not have 501(c)3 nonprofit status. Click here to fill out the Application for Fiscal Sponsorship Form . Once you have completed and submitted the form, we will discuss your application with our Board and let you know of their decision. Any additional paperwork you can provide to help the Board make their decision on funding your group can be sent to gillian@protectpt.org . Apply for Fiscal Sponsorship Today! FAQs What is fiscal sponsorship? A Fiscal Sponsorship is a formal arrangement in which a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization sponsors a group or a project that lacks exempt status. This allows the group to seek grants and solicit tax-deductible donations under the sponsor's tax-exempt status. What are the advantages of having a fiscal sponsorship? Having a fiscal sponsor can be more efficient for small groups that do not have manpower or time to handle all the paperwork necessary for a 501(c)3. Groups that have sponsorship can focus more on fulfilling their mission and engaging with their community. Partnering with a fiscal sponsor can help groups gain more funding. What does a fiscal sponsorship cost? Fiscal sponsors have different costs. Some charge as little as 2 percent, while others charge around 10 percent of gross profits. Do you need an attorney? Fiscal Sponsorship Agreements involve written contracts. You should always ask your sponsor questions if you do not understand part of the contract. If you are still unsure what you are getting into, it would be advisable to have an attorney read it through. Support Our Work

Join our team! Become an intern and get school credit or volunteer hours. Internships What You Need to Know We are seeking socially and environmentally conscious people who are strong communicators and have a passion for helping others and the community in areas of science, organizing, sustainability, communications, environmental policy, and environmental law. A successful applicant will embody our organization’s core tenets of Creativity, Quality Communication, Education & Leadership of Others, Culture of Service, Relationship Building, Adaptability, and Effective Time & Project Management. We offer unpaid internships (for course credit). If offered an internship position, we will work around school requirements and work schedules as much as possible to ensure that the Intern's needs are met during their time on our team. If you are interested in a position, please click the "Apply Now" button and complete the application form with a resume and cover letter. Contact kyle@protectpt.org with any questions. Internship Type General Intern Environmental Policy & Advocacy Intern Digital Media & Outreach Intern Legal Research & Writing Intern Environmental Science & Research Internship Community Organizer Intern SPRING/SUMMER 2026 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Protect PT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of sex, race, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or any other protected category. Apply Now! What Do We Look For?

Our Mission Protect PT (Penn-Trafford) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring residents' safety, security, and quality of life by engaging in education and advocacy to protect the economic, environmental, and legal rights of the people in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.  ​ About Us Our Mission Protect PT (Penn-Trafford) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring residents' safety, security, and quality of life by engaging in education and advocacy to protect the economic, environmental, and legal rights of the people in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. Protect PT was established in 2014 as a grassroots community-based nonprofit organization designed to protect our community from the harmful environmental impacts of fossil fuel activity. We are dedicated to ensuring Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties residents’ safety, security, and quality of life. Meet the Team Gillian Graber (she/her), Executive Director James "Jim" Cirilano (he/him), Community Advocate (he/him) Yvonne Sorovacu (she/her), Environmental Scientist. Kyle Zboran (they/them), Project Coordinator Sara Majorsky (she/her), Community Organizer Lauren Posey (she/her), Environmental Policy Advocate Mina Kimak (she/her), Environmental Program Assistant Noah Bedard (he/him), Communications Assistant Community Environmental Education Center Our Financial Supporters Our financial supporters include community member contributions as well as the organizations below that fiscally support our work in a variety of ways. 2026 The Heinz Endowments 11th Hour Project The Schmidt Family Foundation EPA ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Equation Campaign Just Fund Frontline Justice OVR Participatory Fund Patagonia Environmental Grants Rural Climate Democracy 2025 The Heinz Endowments 11th Hour Project The Schmidt Family Foundation Rural Climate Democracy EPA ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Equation Campaign Pittsburgh Wishbook Patagonia Environmental Grants OVR Participatory Fund Park Foundation Just Fund Frontline Justice

Get Involved As a grassroots organization, Protect PT encourages all community members to get involved in our work by becoming a member, volunteering, joining our board, or applying for internships or jobs with us! Become a Member Support Protect PT's Work By becoming a member, you are ensuring that we have the legal standing needed to continue advocating for your rights and the rights of your community. Every membership increases our ability to fulfill our mission to ensure the safety, security, and quality of life for our community. Become a Member Take Action Check out our updated list of actions that residents can take to better our community and support our continued advocacy. Take Action Internships Protect PT offers several internships for high school and college students looking to gain experience in our focus areas, including environmental policy, law, community organizing, and digital marketing. Click below to see what internship positions are currently available. Internships Careers Protect PT offers a supportive and flexible working environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All of our positions are based in our home base of Harrison City, PA. Click below to see what positions are currently available. Careers Volunteer If you are a socially and environmentally conscious person who has a positive attitude, flexibility, enthusiasm, and a passion for helping others and the community, please join us by volunteering your time. Volunteer With Us Join our Board We are always looking for board members with experience in the following areas: legal, grant writing/development, environmental science/engineering, and finance/business operations. If you have experience in any of those areas and would like to serve your community, please consider joining our board. Join our Board Mentorship We strive to be of service to other communities in the southwestern Pennsylvania region to help them better protect themselves from unconventional gas development and its associated infrastructure. In order to serve other communities, we are offering mentorship and guidance to individuals or groups that want to work toward social change in their community. Learn More

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Leachate is the result of rainwater and moisture seeping through waste at a landfill and leaching chemicals, organic matter, and other particles from the waste. The leachate is then classified as residual waste at the landfill and sewage treatment plants. Leachate What is leachate? Unconventional natural gas development (fracking) produces vast amounts of waste. This waste comes in the form of brine and drill cuttings, both brought up from deep shale layers that can contain high amounts of uranium. Despite the potential presence of radioactivity, this waste is classified as residual waste and permitted to be disposed of in landfills that are intended for the collection of nonhazardous waste. Leachate is the result of rainwater and moisture seeping through waste at a landfill and leaching chemicals, organic matter, and other particles from the waste. The leachate is then classified as residual waste at the landfill and sewage treatment plants. But the leachate is not treated for potential radioactive materials, leaving concerns that discharged treated water could be polluting rivers and streams. Read Our letter to the DEP regarding the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill's request to emit fugitive air contaminants. Download the poster Improperly covered waste at Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill July 2020. Picture taken by resident. Resident Impacts from Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill My only enjoyment was sitting outside on the porch. I can’t even do that because of the smell. My quality of life is terrible. I have no quality of life here. I’m an asthmatic. So are half my neighbors. We can’t open our windows to get fresh air. We’re prisoners in our own house. ~ Carol I have garbage that flies into my yard and trees because of the landfill. The smell keeps my family and I inside most of the time because we can't enjoy the outside of our house I worked so hard to get because of the trash and horrific smell! The "air neutralizer" has not helped at all we feel. Thank you for listening. ~ Charlie Watch the March 2021 Community Meeting Download the slides Read our letter to PA DEP Why Residents Are Concerned about the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill In 2020, we sent out a survey to residents around the landfill. Over 150 responded citing quality of life impacts and health concerns. We shared the results of this survey with local officials and PA DEP. In fall 2021, we conducted a follow up health survey with over 100 responses. The results of this survey were shared with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). If you live near the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill and have concerns about air quality impacts, sign up for free air monitoring today! Sign up for Air Monitoring Support Our Work